Apparatus for projecting cinematographic images carried on disks



R. LEVY June 4, 1940.

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING CINEMATOGRAPHIC IMAGES CARRIED 0N DISKS 5 Sheets-Shree?l 2 Fil ed Sept. 22. 1936 R. LEVY June 4, '1940.

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING CINEMATOGRAPHIC IMAGES CARRIED 0N DISKS Filed Sept. 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 levy.

IVEY.

R. LEVY June 4, 1940.

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING CINEMATOGRAPHIC IMAGES ACARRIED 0N DISKS Filed Sept. 22. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 .m w m ,Wm i. w iwi i.

June 4, A1940. R. LEVY 2,203,437

' APARTUS FR PROJECTING CINEMATOGRPHIC IMAGES CARRIED ON DISKS Filed Sept. 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fly/ 480 469 4659 165 f f 46a /11 'y ff Q/ f5.9 164 mmmlmnmnmm l lnmnlmuunml 1 /mw/ GD 156 4 lHHHm 7% 455 W 177 47.; We 471 174 ff 466 15? 470 47 476 1642 e -m f ,l J /J 45a 460 "46a l oe/zarv,

cdolvk Levy BY j 4M A RNW.

Patented .lune 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING CINEMATO- GRAPHIC IMAGES CARRIED ON DISKS Rudolf Levy, Berlin-Halensee, Germany Application September 22, 1936, Serial No. 101,919 In Germany May 17, 1932 4 Claims. (Cl. 88--16.2)

The invention relates to a projecting apparaor the receiving element transverseto the directus for disk-shaped cinematograph records cartion of motion of the series of images or the nonrying images, which are arranged in one or more rectilinear travel of the image. This is a very spirals and which are made to appear to stand material advantage over the already known com- 5 still optically by means of instantaneous illumiplieated mechanical constructions wherein a nation, while the disk rotates uninterruptedly,/c6mplicated mechanical connection together with especially in combination with sound reproducers. drive gears was interposed between the driving In accordance with the invention, with such element and the image eQuallZiIlg element, Which a projector for image disks, particularly for the may be the Cause 0f frequent failure during the 10 purpose of making possible a construction of the eXlliblOu. 10 projecting device similar to that of a phono- The discharge Uf the COIlClenSel lhIOl-lgh the graph, with objective projection of the cihematoluminous tube takes place extremely rapidly, and graphic, images, use is made of an image iiiumibecause of the brevity of the current impulses nating device which is known per se, which conlnSautaneOuS maximum Current Values may be 15 sists of one or more illuminating tubes, through attained which are 8 multiple 0f the Current Vale which electric condcnsers are rapidly discharged. ues permissible in normal operation without lm- By the term illuminating tubes there is to be brepely'ineleasing 'the effective load on the disunderstood here an electric discharge lamp which Charge lamp. because IlOt the total load of thc so serves for cmittiriglight, and which may he filled tube but primarily the current density in the with one or more gases or vapors or with a mixdlSCheflge gap is determinative of the efciency ture of gas and vapor. If necessary the discharge 0f the llube- Thus because 0f the ShOltneSS of lamp may also be provided with substances the 113m? fllSheS Very Sharp projection images which, for example, produce fluorescence under may be bl'famed and because 0f the high instanthe muence of the luminous discharge, parl-en taneous current densities also extremely bright 1am, by means 0f the Sham Wave length com projection images are obtained which are amply ponents thereof, which substances, however, are sufClent for home use u not appreciably pliosphorescent, that is, which The Speed 0f 'etallon 0l the Spiral image disk, do not remain luminous for any appreciable time m aocordallce Wllh tbe luveutlOn may depend after the excitation ceases, which may cooperate gpo? the CllSChaIge frequency of the iilummatmg with the luminous discharge. The luminous tube evme Wh'lch 1S. Constructed aS a Complete conmay have heated or liquid electrodes and auxgenser tmp SYltching nl eens- The flashes of iliary devices for starting, of the Well known types. lght produced m the 1111111110115 llube hereby Serve not only for illuminating .the images to be pro- By the present invention numerous construcl tional difficulties occurring in the projection of lecled al' anLlLlSl'enl. but, furthermore, aisofor :V spiral image-series disks are eliminated, for in muencmg if' Phol'fleotlic Cell, the Current lm- '-1 accordance with the invention the 'construction pulses 0f Whlch' produced by l"he flashes 0f light,

becomes surprisingly simple and easy to operate; if Iecssay after Suitable amlflCa'tOIl, are

phonograph-like projecting apparatus of restrictor ed 0de fSvrlilhtlonizing device which con- 40 ed dimensions and relatively low weight are made ro s e Spee 0 T0 a 0n 0f bhe Image disk. r possible which permit again reviving the older If au the; images 0f the SDlrel image dlSk have 4U method, severely criticised and nally abandoned the same lmeal Spa'cmg from 011e anelher, then in favor of the nlm strip, namely, thc use of a by smieble time 0f lh@ magnitude of the Syndisk-like carrier of a cinematogram with numernrgt lglllsrgoggellhg ous rows of very small pictures and accompanying of the image disk, the speed of rotation of the 45 Sound records and thereby foi. the m. mme the image spiral disk is given asupplemental increase many advantages of such an image disk ecome or decrease, because upon similar spacing of the fill available in full and for general uSeimages from one another, the angular velocity of A synchronization of the image succession and the rotating image disk must be vcontinually the condenser discharge is very easy to attain. varied, 50 Because of the characteristic of the device ac- For setting the desired frequency of image cordlng to the invention which combines the changes, comparison standards may be provided, source of illumination and the equalizing elefor example, a tuning fork to -be observed inthe u ment in one, there is absolutely no disturbance intermittent light of the illuminating tube. U" produced, for example, by the moving ofthe disk The moment of tripping the -condenser and thereby likewise the starting of the luminous tube may also be controlled by independent means. The discharge of the condenser may then, for example, be controlled, by movable apparatus elements, which are mechanically or electrically connected with the driving means of the apparatus. The synchronizing of the moment of tripping of the condenser may, for example, be produced by a frequency creator, for example, by a revolving generator depending upon inductive effect, or by a contact breaker connected and disconnected by an auxiliary current source which is mechanically connected with the driving mechanism of the image disk or by a special synchronous motor, if necessary with a different number of poles, which preferably is driven from the same alternating current power system.

The generator which produces the synchronizing frequencies may also be independent of the projection apparatus, and, for example, may consist of a separately driven tuning fork interrupter or vacuum tube generator, which provides the controlling power for synchronizing the driving and/or light flash frequency.

The condenser tripping moment and the drive moment may further be controlled directly from the same alternating current supply system, for example through a transformer or indirectly, for example, through a frequency converter.

In such cases where the images are arranged at equal angular intervals from one another and lie in radial rows, at any time an entire radial row of the images may be illuminated in common, whereby, however, at such time only a single image of this series is actually used. 'Ihe illumination then takes place preferably through a cylindrical lens which is arranged between the luminous tube and the image plate. This illuminating device may then be stationary, and structurally separate from the radially shiftable optical projection parts. In this case thus the projection elements are the only portion which is to be moved during the projection namely, the radially shiftable portion.

The image spiral disk itself may serve as the rotor of the synchronizing frequency generator. For this purpose there may be provided upon the edge of the image spiral disk or upon the disk itself or upon a special preferably co-axial auxiliary carrier or upon a sound disk connected thereto, control frequency records, for example transparent or reflecting marks, such as slots, which are illuminated by a special lamp, whereby the transmitted or reflected intermittent light falls upon a photoelectric cell which preferably controls the tripping charge of the condenser through an amplifying means. In order to make possible an exact setting of the images it is advantageous to project the image of the slit at a material optical enlargement upon the photoelectric cell.

The luminous tube preferably contains an auxiliary control electrode upon which a retarding potential may be applied and which is connected to an interrupter. This interrupter may consist for example of a rotor which has a metallic surface provided with insulating slots, with which cooperates a sliding spring contact connected with the auxiliary electrode.

For obtaining a concentrated light effect the luminous tube may be rolled together screwfashion and is preferably arranged in a special evacuated container. This container is preferably formed as a reflector.

For keying the image records a fork-like device which is shiftable or oscillatable, or an oscillatable portion, may serve, one of which, for example, an arm arranged beneath the image disk, carries the illuminating device or the optical projection elements, Whereas upon or in the other, for example, the arm arranged above the image disk, is provided with the optical projection elements or the luminous tube. This forklike keying device must be shifted or swung laterally during the projecting, whicliis preferably accomplished by a keying rod which engages in a spiral groove of the image disk.4 It is advantageous to assist this lateral motion through an additional radially acting force, for example, by means of a Weight, a spring or the like. The arm arranged above the spiral image disk is preferably so constructed that it makes possible a ready interchanging of the image disk. The optical projection partsl may be adjustable along their optical axis as well as parallel to the plane of the image disk.

Preferably all the illuminating and keying devices are provided in a swingable arm above the image disk.

In order to attain as nearly correct as possible a projection of the images it is' preferable to provide upon the underside of the rim of the image disk a supporting bearing, constructed for example as a ball or roller bearing.

In such cases where the sound record disk is structurally separate from the image disk, said two disks may be arranged adjacent one another and each manipulated by a separate swingably arranged arm. It is, however, also possible to arrange the two disks in different planes rotatably arranged above one another at a denite location and to drive them in common by a single motor in such way that the image disk rotates more slowly than the sound disk. Finally, it is also possible to drive the two disks by separate synchronous motors having different numbers of poles, which are connected to the same alternating current supply system.

If the images are not transparent, then the image projector may consist of a structural unit which is shiftable above the image disk upon a radial arm which is foldable upwardly and which contains the luminous tube, the condenser, the optical condensing system and the projection objective. for the manipulation of the images through a swingable arm in the interior of which are arranged the illuminating tube, the optical condenser and the projection objective. The condenser in this event may advantageously be arranged in the axis of swing of the image selecting arm. The illuminating tube may also be arranged in the axis of rotation of the swinging arm and may be so constructed that it may radiate its light in an axial direction, namely, upwardly. In this axis of rotation, according to the invention, above the illuminating tube there is provided a reflector which deviates the light in the direction of the arm, for example, a prism, mirror or the like. projecting optical system may be arranged in the free end of the swinging arm.

All the electrical devices are preferably screened externally by a metal housing. In accordance with the invention a light shutter is provided upon the container enclosing the illuminating tube or in the light-conducting swinging arm which may be opened temporarily for the purpose of adjusting the image selecting device.

A switch, which disconnects the source of It is, however, also possible to provide In using opaque images the Gil charging'current from the condenser, may be so constructed sand arranged thatV simultaneously with .the disconnecting :of the charging current it;connectsa resistance in Aparallel with the condenser, whereby any possible residual charges ofthecondenser may be dissipated through the resistance, in order, for example, on changing the illuminating tube,.to protect the hand of the operator from danger of shock.

It is advantageous to projectthe-pictures upon the opening of the'loud speaker of a radio receiverv which amplies the sound and is manipulated synchronously with the picture and provided with a suitable projection receiving surface.

IIndividual points of the image disks may be provided withsynchronizing symbols which correspond to similarmarks upon the inner or outer edge of the image disk, or an annularly arranged legend A,may be provided which refers to the subject matter of the images.

f Inthe drawings examples of theinvention are illustrated and in said drawings:

. Fig. 1 shows an image spiral record disk wherein the spacing vof the individual images from one another is constant, l

Fig. 2 is another example of an image spiral record disk wherein the images are arranged in radial rows, wherein, thusl the angular velocity of the'rotating plate lis constant,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a projecting means, for the; recorded images,

Figs. .3 a and 3b ,show two diierent views of a sourcevof` light serving for Iilluminating the recorded images, l v

Figs. 4, 411,5, 5d, and 6 are further examples of a projecting device,

Fig. 'I is an l,external elevationof a projecting device for opaque images wherein the sound record disk arranged concentrically to the image spiral record disk.

Fig.,8 is a detail of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, n

Fig. 9 is'th'e keying or selector means of the exampleaccording to Fig. 7 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. l is a further example of an embodiment wherein the keying of transparent images is accomplished by a swinging fork,

Fig. 11 is a further example of an embodiment of a keying arm for the opaque image spiral rel'corded upon the disk,

Fig. 12 is a complete projecting and reproducing device, wherein the image spiral record disk and the sound record disk are arranged adjacent one another and Fig. 1 3 is a projecting and reproducing apparatus wherein the sound record disk is arranged above the image disk.

Figs. 1 and 2 show two different embodiments of an image record disk known per se, with a spiral type of arrangement of the individual images.

In Fig. 1 the individual images 2 are arranged upon a circular plate in the form of spiral turns I, which mutually have a uniform linear spacing from one another. The plate has in the manner known per se a central opening 3 whereby the plate is pushed over the central pin of a turn table just as with the customary phonograph records. The playing of the plate occurs with a speed of revolution which remains linearly constant, that is, with a variable angular velocity of the rotating image record carrier.

In Fig. 2 therseries of pictures are likewise arranged in spiral turns, however, here the arrangement of the individual images is in radial rows in such .manner that all the images 5 have the same angular spacing from one another. By this arrangement of the images there is, of course, produced a less efficient utilization of the space than in the plate according to Fig. l, it has, however, the advantage that the turn table may -rotate continuously at constant speed like an ordinary sound record turn table. For the purpose of keying by means of la. swinging arm the individual images 5 lying in the radial series may also be located adjacent one another in arcuate curved lines.

The plate according to Fig. l, as well as that of Fig. 2 may in the known manner be mounted and driven from the rim instead of from the center point. The keying in both plates takes place in that the keying element or the rotating image disks are continuously shifted radially during the projection.

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically a projecting device for image spiral disks wherein the illumination device also controls the driving of the image disk.

Here 6 designates a luminous tube the electrodes of which are connected with the terminals l and 8. The luminous tube is helically wound in order that the light radiation may be concentrated into as small a space as possible. The rolled-up luminous tube is here arranged within a housing 9 which is transparent only at the exit points for the light, the remainder, however, being constructed as a reilector (see Figs. 3a and 3b wherein the luminous tube is shown in elevation and in plan). Preferably, particularly for attaining or maintaining suitable temperature conditions, the housing 9 may be evacuated. In the drawings the luminous tube lamp (i, 9 has a screw base I0 of known type, whereby the lamp may be screwed into an ordinary lamp socket.

The luminous tube 6 is fed from a condenser II, which is relatively slowly charged through a resistance I2 by means of direct current or rectified current. Upon attaining the break-down potential the condenser II suddenly discharges through the luminous tube E, whereby this discharge proceeds to a point below the extinction potential. By this rapidly occurring flow of current of great current density an intense flash of light of very short duration is produced by the tube G, which acts on the one hand through an optical condenser system I3 upon the image spiral disk I4 and acts on the other hand upon a photo-electric cell I5. The current impulses produced by the illumination of the cell I5 are preferably conveyed to the stator Il of the synchronizing device through an amplifier I6. The stator I 1 acts upon a pole wheel or rotor-I8, which is secured to the shaft I9 of the turn table, which carries the transparent image record table 20, upon which the image-spiral record disk I4 is placed. By suitable proportioning of the charge voltage, and dimensioning of the likewise adjustable charging resistance I2 and of the condenser II, any desired frequency may be attained. The number of flashes per second may, for example, also be varied by adjustable discharge gaps (spark gaps) or by connecting devices for short circuiting or shunting partial discharge gaps. Upon using spark gaps, if desired, the light of the spark may also be used to cooperate in illuminating the image. The potential ofthe charge may be increased in known manner by automatic series connection of parallel-connected condensers.

The synchronizing moment which produces each discharge of the condenser II through the luminous tube 6 by means of the photo-electric cell I5 in the synchronizing device I1, I8 is, for example, by suitable dimensioning of the ampliner I6, selected to be of such magnitude that with a constant linear separation of the images (in accordance with Fig. l) a supplemental acceleration or braking of the speed of rotation of the synchronous driving motor may be accomplished. If, however, the images 2l have equal angular spacings (according to Fig. 2), that is, if they are arranged in radial strips, then the synchronizing device, I1, I8, will produce a constant speed of rotation of the disc turn table 20.

The acceleration or braking of the speed of rotation may be accomplished by spatial phase shifting of the rotating synchronizing elements. The phase shifting may take place stepwise whereby the magnitude of the steps is very closely related to the number of images in the circumference of one turn of the spiral.

The securing of the desired discharge frequency, that is, of image change frequency, may be accomplished or controlled by means of customary mechanical or electrical revolution counters or also by means of comparison standards. As a comparison standard, for example, a tuning fork with graduations may be employed whose oscillations are observed stroboscopically in the intermittent light of the luminous tube E. A still projection of individual partial images may also be attained with the arrangement according to Fig. 3 by optically screening the photoelectric cell I5 from the luminous tube 5 or by disconnecting the amplier I5. The illumination of the individual image which is to be projected then takes place through the light flashes produced by the condenser discharges.

The luminous tube 6 and the photo-electric cell I5, together with the optical condenser I3 are arranged in a common housing, which may consist of metal and, for example, may be grounded to secure electrical shielding. This is of particular importance when there are any electrical sound receivers in the Vicinity.

Opposite the luminous tube 5 is arranged the optical projection system 23, above the image disk. A fork-shaped holder 2B, to the lower arm 24 of which is secured the luminous tube 6 and on the upper arm 25 of which is arranged the optical projection system, serves for securing both parts. In the example illustrated in the drawings it is assumed that the fork is to be moved radially with respect to the image disk I4 and, for example, from the inside toward the outside. A preferably replaceable guide pin 21 is provided on the optical projection system 23, and is guided in a spiral groove 28 of the image disc, whereby during the' rotation of the image disc I4 it shifts laterally both the optical projection system 23 and the lamp 6. The two arms 24 and 25 thereupon slide in guides 29 and 30, which are provided in a mounting 3l. Preferably the radial moving of the fork 28 is assisted by a force acting in the same direction, produced, for example, by means of a spring or a weight 34, which is secured to a cord 32, which is passed over a guide roller 33.

Hereby also any existing play in the guide grooveis made harmless, whereby swinging of the guide pin in the spiral groove is prevented.

The optical projection system is preferably adjustable not only in the direction of its optical axis but also parallel to the plane of the image disk, with respect to the series of images. For this purpose it may be mounted shiftably and securably upon a small sliding carriage. The upper armv 25 of the fork' 25 consists of the two parts' 25a and '25h which are so connected with one another by a hinge -35 that the arm 25a' may be folded up with the optical system 23 for the purpose of ready changing of the image disk. A handle 36 is provided for facilitating the folding-up.

It is, however, possible vto 'so arrange the connecting element 26v or the bearing block 3| that they may swing-laterally. This is of particular importance when the fork is not to be shifted radially rectilinearly, but, like the tone-arm of a phonograph, is to have a swinging motion during operation.

A slot 38 serves for guiding the optical condenser I3 in the mechanism housing 31. The housing 22 in that case may slide upon a special rail 38a, The portion 26 emerging from the mechanism housing 31 during the projection may be covered like the parts 32, 33 and 34, in order to protect these parts against any external influence. Preferably the turn table 20 is provided at its outer rim with guiding bearings 31a:l for example rolls or balls, in such manner that the rim of the turn table is supported upon the plate of the mechanism, in order to prevent a striking of the turn table x2|). l

In the example according to Fig. 4, the tripping impulse of the condenser is controlled by means of movable apparatus parts, which are in mechanical connection with the device. Direct current is fed to the binding posts 39 and 40, which charges the condenser 42 through the resistance 4I. The luminous tube 43 is conected in parallel with the condenser 42 and has the main electrodes 44 and 45 and also an auxiliary electrode 46. The electrodes 44 and 45 obtain their potential difference from the condenser 42. The auxiliary electrode 46 is, for example, in the form of a grid andis connected with an auxiliary battery 49 through brushes 48 and 52 sliding upon an interrupter disk 41 (c. f. also Fig. 4a). The interrupter disk 49, as may be seen from Fig. 4a, consists of insulating material and is provided on both sides with a common metallic coating 50 having radial apertures 5I. The number of the apertures 5i corresponds to the number of images in one series in the circumference of a turn of the spiral, whereby it is here assumed that the images are at` equal angular spacing from one another.

The auxiliaryA potential of the battery 49 prevent-s the starting of the luminous tube 43 when the condenser is completely or nearly completely charged. If this auxiliary potential is removed by the apertures 5I then the retarding potential existing upon the grid 46 is eliminated, so that starting can now take place, whereby the condenser discharges instantaneously through the luminous tube 43, producing a very brief` but very bright ilash of light.` By means of an optical condenser 53 the image spiral 54 upon Iche plate 55 is illuminated. The plate 55 rests upon a transparent turn table 56, for example made completely or partially of glass, and is secured thereto by means of one or more spring clamps 51 at the rim. 'I'he image spiral disk 55 or the turn table 56 and the interrupter disk 41 are secured to a common shaft 58'.

In the example according to Fig. 5 the discharge of the condenser is likewise controlled by means of movable mechanical elements. The image spiral disk 59 here lies upon a turn table 60 and is provided at its rim with a number of transparent slots 52 (see also Fig'. 5a). In place of the='slots, light-absorbingor light-reflecting coatings may' be provided, for. example printed black and white indicia. The image series here also are -spaced at equal angular intervals from one another,- whereby there corresponds to each radial series of images 63, one slot or one lightreecting or *light-absorbing coating.' The arrangement may, however, also be such that there corresponds to each individual image one transparent or reflecting mark. The slots 62' may be copied simultaneously with the printing of the images upon the plate 59 or they may also consist of corresponding apertures in the plate. Instead of being arranged directly upon the image plate 59, one or more marks may also be arranged upon a special, rapidly rotating carrier, for example,l upon a. disk or the like which is connected with the turn table. For example, this carrier may be 'arranged upon the shaft-of a phonograph-turn table connected therewith; also this sound record may havea control frequency designation 'arrangedthereom for example upon its rim. Ifithe sound-record carries a plastic sound'record, then preferably, there may likewise be at its rim a plastic control frequency record arranged'in a closed curve, which is reproduced by a special reproducing device.

Beside'the spiral series of images there is a guide path 14. -A constant source of light 64 whose light rays are cl mbined into a pencil by an optical system 65, illuminates the marks G2 through a `diaphragm 86 marks. Thereby, by means of the optical system 61 and the mirrorsi,I 69 and 10 it produces upon a screen 1|', which is provided with a slot 12, flashes of light which fall upon a photo-electric cell 13. The electrical impulses produced by these light impulses hereby serve in known manner, 1f necessary through an ar'npliier 15, for synchronizing the illuminating device lof the present invention, in' that they,'for example, are fed to the grid of a gas-filled discharge bulb (Thyratron), which in turn controls in known manner the starting ofthe luminous tube which illuminates the image Vspiral disk 59 and the discharge of a condenser through the tube. In case the control electrode 4of the Thyratron has a photo-electrically active'coating, thelight impulses passing through the slot 12 may strike directly upon said coating. The long projection path obtained by the mirrorsv 68, 69 and 10, provides a considerable magnification of the image of the slot 62 upon the slot`12, preferably arranged in the direction of the slot image and adjustable parallel thereto, whereby 'the setting of exact starting points of the condenser discharges and thereby of the image'stroke are readily made possible. In the embodiment according to Fig. 6 the condenser discharge and the drive motor are controlled by the same alternating current supply -system. The 'luminous tube 16, which is shown in the drawing as a mercury vapor lamp and which may be arranged in a housing provided with a reflector, has a solid electrode 11 and a mercury electrode 18. In parallel to this tube is arranged Aa condenser 19 which is charged through the resistance 88 from a direct current source, by means of the binding posts 8l and 82. The voltage at the condenser is so chosen that starting of the luminous tube cannot yet take place.

The alternating current supply potential conducted to the terminals -83 and 84 actuates, on the one hand, the driving motor 85preferably @agregadas a Synhwusrlgie?. and. O11 .the

' when passing said other lhand, `produces through the transformer 86,'4 potential impulses which by means of the external coating `81 produce in well known way an ignition point upon the 'mercury cathode 1B and inthis way start the` discharge of the condenser 19 through the-luminous tube 16. The synchronous motor 85 provides the driving of, or corrects the-synchronous drive of, the shaft 88, which carries the turn table 89 and the image disk 90.

In casethe frequency of the alternating current supply vis not suitable, it is possible by frequency multiplication or'demultiplication of the supply frequency to provide the necessary control frequencies in well known ways. Of course, a suitable conversion device may also be connected if necessary between the drive motor 85 and the shaft 88. The charging of the condenser 19 may likewise take place from an alternating current supply system, namely, through a rectifier.

The discharge current of the condenser passing for a brief time between the electrodes 11 and 18 of the luminous tube provides a very brief but very bright flash of light vwhich by means of a cylindrical len's optical system 9| is thrown in the form of a strip upon a radial image series (c.f. for example, Pos. 63 in Fig. 5a). All the single images lying in one radial series are thus simultaneously illuminated, whereby in accordance with the operation'at lany moment only one single image of this series is utilized.

This has the advantage that the light source need not,` for 'exampleyas in the embodiment of Fig. 3, be shifted radially, but may be arranged stationarily. Hereby the projecting apparatus is materially simplified, for it is necessary only to guide the optical projection system 16a and if necessary an image frame over the image surface. This 'image frame will preferably be of such length that 'it will cover the images not yet utilized as well as those already projected in common, from among the illuminated individual images of the radial image series during the operation', in order to avoid the extra light which otherwise would be emitted outwardly and create interference. In order to facilitate the application of the manipulating operating system 16a upon the image disk 90, the diaphragm or a part of the same is preferably made so as to be readily removable; it may, for example, be placeable upon a wide ring or thel like located around the projection objective 16a.

It is, of course, also possible with opaque image spiral record disks to arrange the previously mentioned'illuminating device above the image disk or to direct the light by mirrors or the like, in such manner that an image illumination takes place by means of lreflected light, whereby likewisethe projection objective constitutes the only reproducer element which needs to be shifted.

If the cinematograph images lying in a radial series are arranged in an arcuate curved line then the optical projection system 16a may be mounted upon a swinging arm. 'I'hen lpreferably the luminous tube L1G may likewise be given an arcuate curved shape, so that the image through the cylindrical lens-optical system 9| is also curved and corresponds to the curvature of the radial series of images.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of luminous tubes .connected in parallel which may have vari-colored light emissions, for example, in complementary colors, for the colored projection of the images or'for obtaining a mixed color. These, luminous. ,are mar als, be arranged@ wreath-configuration about the geometrical axis of an optical projection system, which receives the rays from the images which are to be projected. Preferably in that case the axes of the optical lamp systems directed upon the images will have the same inclination with respect to the axis of the central optical system.

It may be noted further that the adjustment of the image strip need no longer occur through a complicated picture screen shifting, but in simple manner for example by spatial shifting of the stator of a generator serving for producing the control potentials, or of the driving synchronous motor, or also by changing the constants of the tripping of the condenser in such manner that the relative instant of time of the flash of light changes.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a projecting and reproducing device, in accordance with the invention, for pictures and sounds, with separate sound and image disks. Herein SI is a sound record of ordinary commercial type, which is traversed by a sound box 93 secured to a swinging arm 92. The sound manipulation may hereby preferably be accomplished electrically and in the customary way connections may be provided for an amplifier or for a radio receiver. Around the sound record 9|, but structurally separate therefrom, is arranged the image disk 94, which is here constructed as an annular disk and preferably rotates at lower speed than the sound record. At its inner edge or outer edge 99 there is provided an inscription stating the contents of the image disk.

Upon a guide rail 95 which is removable by means of a handle 98 from the image disk 94, or if preferred is capable of swinging out of the way, there is, preferably by means of ball bearings, roller bearings or the like, slidably arranged an image selector housing 96, which engages in a spiral groove of the image disk by means of a drive pin IUI. The projection of the picture upon a surface arranged at a suitable location is accomplished preferably by means of a mirror 9T which is adjustable in all directions. For this purpose, for example, use may be made of the sound outlet of a loud speaker which is surrounded with a projection screen, and which is set up at some distance and reproduces the sound received from the sound record 9| in synchrcnism with the picture.

Of course the projecting and reproducing apparatus, particularly with purely mechanicalacoustic sound reproduction, may, for example, also be provided with a structure which contains a sound guide for the sound reproduced from the record 9|. Through this sound guide may pass simultaneously the rays projected from the image projector 86, if necessary by means of a plurality of mirrors, whereby the light falls upon a projection surface 'which is transparent to sound, upon which the projected image appears.

Preferably the electrical connections leading to the image projector 96 are so connected with one another in known manner by means of a tube |02 that the connections are capable of following elastically every movement of the picture projector 96. The-projecting device is connected to the light system by means of a connection |03. The shifting movement of the image projector 86, may, for example, be assisted by a radially acting force, for example, by means of a spring or the like in a manner similar to that of Fig. 3.

In place of the slide rail 95 and the spiral guide |00 and IOI a screw spindle which is not axially shiftable may also be used, upon which the picture projector 96 is secured by means of a female thread. In similar manner the portion having said female thread may be capable of being lifted off in order to provide a rapid return of the picture projector to its initial position.

Fig. 8 shows the construction of the driving means for the projecting device according to Fig. '7, arranged in the housing |04.

Upon a shaft |05, which is driven by a motor or other suitable means not illustrated, are secured two gear wheels |06, |01 of different sizes, which are in engagement with the toothed gears which are provided upon the two concentric shafts IBB and |09. The shaft |08 drives the sound record turn table I I0 and the hollow shaft |09 drives the image disk turn table III. Because of the difference in diameter of the gear wheels IDS and IBI, the two turn tables H0 and |I|, and with them the sound record SI and the image record 94, will rotate at different speeds.

Instead of connecting the two turn tables H0 and III mechanically with one another, they may also be driven independently each through a special synchronous motor. These two synchronous motors are then connected together solely electrically, in that, for example, they are operated from the same alternating current supply system. 'Ihese two motors, however, have different numbers of poles, because the image disk is to turn more slowly than the sound record. In the example according to Figs. '7 and 8 the image disk turn table may also be driven from its periphery, as by gears, etc.

In Fig. 9 the image reproducer 86 of Fig. 7 is shown on an enlarged scale. The shaded surface H2 here represents the bottom surface of the image projector and is seen slantwse from below. The carrier pin IOI and the securing elements of the portion 96 as well as the mirror 91 have been omitted from the drawing for greater clearness.

In the image projector housing 96 there is located also the luminous tube H3 which may for example be constructed like the luminous tube 6, 9 of Fig. 3. Further the housing 96 contains the condenser H4 which discharges through the luminous tube I I3 at deiinite time intervals. The condenser H4 obtains its charge through the two conductors IIB, while through the two conductors I I5 synchronizing impulses are conveyed to the luminous tube I I3. The connections therein, for example, may be the same as those of Fig. 6. The double conductors H5 and H6 are combined outside the housing 96 in a tube |02 which terminates in the mechanism housing |04 of Fig. 7. For greater clearness the connecting conductors between the luminous tube H3 and the condenser I4 are not illustrated. Since long conductors between the luminuous tube and the condenser, aside from other disadvantages, might be particularly objectionable because by their inductance and their resistance they would prolong the duration of the individual flashes of light and might in this way injure the quality of the image, it is important to keep these connections as short as possible. By combining the luminous tube H3 and the condenser H4 in a small housing very short connecting conductors between these two parts are made possible, so that the briefest practicable condenser discharge is available. The light radiated from the 1uminous tube H3 is thrown through an optical condensing system I Il in the direction of the arrow drawn upon the image disk 94 of Fig. 7 and 75 from the same is reected upon an optical projection system I |9 which is adjustable by means of a regulating knob |8.

Fig. 10 shows a further example of a prejection device in accordance with the invention. Here the luminous tube |2|2ly is arranged within a swinging arm 2| which may, for example, consist of insulating material or be lined with insulation. Within the arm |2| there are housed also other projector elements. The condenser |22, a rectier, etc., may also be secured to the swinging arm, upon the same, at its side, or upon its bottom. The luminous tube |20 may also in special cases be arranged at an incline in the swinging arm I2 I. Obviously the luminuous tube must be optically covered, up to the light exit opening. In order, however, to make it possible, if desired, to illuminate the entire image disk, for example in order to locate a certain point thereon for the purpose of still projection, it may be preferable to be able to open the light shielding of the tube |20 to such extent that the entire image disk, or at least a considerable part of the image record, becomes visible. Preferably for this purpose a light shutter |20a, which may be readily opened, is provided in the swinging arm |2|.

The condenser |22 feeding the luminous tube |20 is here arranged in the vertical axis of swing of the arm |2I, which also contains the connections including the conductors |23 for charging the condenser and the conductors |24 which supply the synchronizing impulses for the luminous tube. |22a are the connecting conductors between the condenser |22 and the luminous tube |20. The connection in this example is the same as in the example according to Fig. 6.

The light radiated from the luminous tube |20 here falls, through an optical condenser |25 and a mirror |26, upon the image spiral |21 which is provided upon a transparent plate |28. By means of a projection objective |29 the light passing through the images falls by means of a mirror |30 upon a projection screen arranged at a suitable location. The projection objective |29 and the mirror |30 are here so secured to the lower tine |2Ia of the fork-like swinging arm I2| that the arms |2|a partakes of all the horizontal movements of the arm |2I, The light source and the projection objective thus always stand exactly opposite one another. The upper tine I2| oi this swinging fork may be swung back to the extent of about 180, in order thatl the luminous tube |20 may be readily replaced when necessary. The positive shifting of the swinging fork |2|, I2|a here again takes place by means of a guide pin |3| which travels in a spiral groove |32 extending adjacent the image spirals |21. The image disk |28 rests upon a transparent turn table |33, which in turn is driven from its central axis |34. The swinging fork is preferably movable in ball bearings |35. Y

Fig. l1 shows in section an image arm for a projecting device such as shown in Fig. 12. The luminous tube |36 is here arranged stationary in the vertical pivot |49 of the swinging arm |31 and has the two electrodes |39 and |40 between which takes place the main discharge, fed from a condenser. |39 is, for example, a mercury electrode. In this example also an electrical connection can be provided such as shown in Fig. 6. According thereto the luminous tube |36 has a starting electrode |4| which corresponds to the starting electrode 81 in Fig. 6. To this starting electrode are conveyed the starting-voltageimpulses which initiate the discharge of the condenser. 'I'he condenser as well as the remaining connecting elements may be stationarily arranged within the housing |38.

The light radiation of the luminous tube |36 here takes place in an axial direction, namely, vertically upwards. In front of the luminous tube |30 is arranged a small window frame I44a upon which is concentrated by means of the optical condenser |44 the light radiated axially from the luminous tube |36. By means of the lens system |4419 an image of the frame opening ||i4a is thrown upon the image disk I5| through ie mirror, prism, o-r the like mounted in the vertical axis of rotation of the swinging arm |31, from which (image) the light is thrown back upon the adjustable projection objective |46. This projection objective is arranged in the head of the swinging arm |31 and sends the light to a iurther mirror |41 which is adjustable in all directions, which throws the picture upon the projection surface. An interchangeable guide pin |48 here again serves for guiding the arm |31 upon the image disk |5I. The swinging arm pivot |49 is rotatable in a guide ring and is there held tight by a bail which is secured by means of a readily releasable screw |50. After release of the screw |50 the swinging arm may be so lifted upwardly that the luminous tube |36 is readily accessible for replacement. The upper end of the luminous tube is so bent that the electrode |40 lies outside of the central axis of said luminous tube.

In the projecting and reproducing device according to Fig. 12 there are provided two rotating turn tables revolving at different speeds and connected with one another, which preferably lie adjacent one another upon a common work table, one of which serves for the image projection and the other for the sound reproduction. The image disk is here designated by reference character |5| and is provided with the spirally arranged images |52 which are received by the swingable image arm |31 (corresponding to Fig. 11). |53 designates the sound record which may be an ordinary commercial phonograph record, and which cooperates with the receiving box |54. The sound record |53 and the image record |5| are connected to one another at a positive ratio of conversion by a suitable drive gear. T'he sound may be amplified in a well known manner by a radio receiver amplifier and may be fed to a loud speaker which simultaneously may carry the projection screen for the images produced from the image disk |5|. The loud speaker may also in a known manner be built in-to the radio receiver serving as the amplier.

The sound record |53 as well as the image spiral disk |5| may be provided with synchronous starting point marks, for example with numbers or other indications. Similar indications, for example such of similar color, may also simultaneously be located at a number of points of the image and sound record in o-rder to make it easy to locate definite synchronous points on the disks, which may be of importance in repeating a portion of the reproduction.

Fig. 13 shows a projecting Aand reproducing means wherein the two turn tables are arranged xedly one above the other.

A motor |55 here through a gear drive actuates a shaft |51, upon which two further gear wheels |58 and |59 are secured. The gear wheels, through further gears |60 and |6I, drive the image shaft |62 and the sound shaft |83, upon which are provided the-image turn table |54 and the sound turn table |85. These two turn tables here run at different speeds, namely, the sound record more rapidly than the image record.

Instead of the conversion gearing, it is also possible to provide special synchronous driving motors for the two turn tables |65 and |64, which have different numbers of poles, which, however, are both fed from the same alternating current supply system. Both motors are then preferably started at the same time by a common starting device. One or both turn tables |55 and |64 may be, in known way, mounted or driven from the periphery instead of from the center.

The entire mechanism is arranged in a housing |85, whose upper portion |61 swings open upwardly and which, furthermore, has a lateral door |88. The sound record |65a resting upon the turn table |65 is reproduced by means of an electrical reproducer box |69 secured to a swinging arm |80, While the image plate |64a which rests upon the turn table |64 and has the picture spiral series |10, is projected by means of the device hereinafter described.

On the free end of a swinging arm |1| whose said free end is turnable upward about a hinge |1|a, are arranged two luminous tubes |12 and |13 which are fed from a condenser |14 in the manner already described. This condenser |14 is arranged in the interior of the hollow space of the swinging arm. The luminous tubes |12 and |13 radiate the light in an axial direction and through the optical condensers |15 and |16 illuminate the individual images of the series of image spirals |18. Through a centrally arranged projection objective |11 and through a mirror or prism |18 the images are projected through a preferably glazed opening |19 which is provided in the wall of the housing |68, and projected upon the screen and preferably upon a radio loud speaker provided with a projection surface, which simultaneously and synchronously with the picture projection, reproduces also the sounds received from the electric box |89 and amplied. In or on the described radially moving or swinging arms light transporting agencies may be provided for example in the form of round or rectangular glass light-conducting rods or cones.

It is desirable for preventing disturbances to make use of the known screening means and particularly to surround the condenser tripping device as well as the luminous tube together with its connections as far as possible with a grounded metallic shield. When using optical reproduction of sound, particularly in such cases where the sound record is located upon the image disk, for example, parallel to the image spirals, it is further important to shield the sound record and the photo-electric cell which reproduces the same carefully against the intermittent light of the luminous tube serving as the source of projection light. On the other hand it is advantageous to keep the light of a constant light source serving for producing the synchronizing impulses away from the luminous tube serving as the source of projection light, in order for example to prevent influencing the cathode of the luminous tube as to the ignition frequency in an undesired manner by photo-electric effect.

Furthermore, a switch which shuts off the charging current of the condenser may be so arranged and constructed that simultaneously with the disconnecting of the charging current it connects a resistance in parallel with the condenser, whereby any chance residual charges of the condenser may discharge through the resistance in order thatfor example, in interchanging the luminous tubes-.the hand of the operator -Inay be protected from danger of shook.

The above ydescribed examples of embodiments show 4only a few of the numerous possibilities of construction. The Adrawings are throughout to e Vconsidered only as diagrammatic sketches and not as=eorrect in scale and detail, and must rather :i

vbe Vconsidered -to serve only for explaining lthe most important features and a few structural arrangements of the device in accordance with the invention. Essential devices, which, however, are less important details 'for understanding the characteristics of the invention have been entirely omitted or designated by simpliecl symbols in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

I claim:

l. A combined sound reproducing device and projection device lfor continuously rotating cinematogram disks carrying spirally arranged transparent image records, said combined device comprising optical means for projecting the cinematographic images, an image-illuminating device which consists of at least one luminous discharge tube, an electrical condenser, means for charging same, and means whereby said condenser is rapidly discharged through said tube to produce flashes of light, to illuminate said image records, said device including a shiftable twoarmed fork, one arm thereof being arranged on one side of the image disk and carrying the illuminating device while the other arm, arranged on the other side of the image plate, carries the optical projection system, the arm above the image disk being constructed to fold upward to facili- Lute changing the image disks.

2. A combined sound reproducing device and projection device for continuously rotating cinematogram disks carrying spirally arranged image records, said combined device comprising optical means for projecting the cinematographic images, an image-illuminating device which consists of at least one luminous discharge tube, an electrical condenser, means for charging same, and means whereby condenser is rapidly discharged through said tube to produce flashes of light, ce illuminate scid image records, the spirally arranged images being spaced at equal angular distances from one another with respect to the axis of the disk whereby they thus lic in radial series. the illuminating means being disposed so as to illuminate an entire radial series of the images in common at any instant, and means whereby only a single image of such series is actually projected at any given instant.

3. A combined sound reproducing device and projection device for continuously rotating cinematogram disks carrying spirally arranged image records, said combined device comprising optical means for projecting the cinematographic imegcs, an image-illuminating device which consists of at least one luminous discharge tube. an electrical condenser, means for charging same, and means whereby said condenser is rapidly discharged through said tube to produce .flashes of light, to illuminate :ad image records, the spirally arranged images being at equal angular distances from one another with respect to the axis of the disk whereby they thus lie in radial series, the illuminating means including a cylindrical lens arranged between the luminous tube and the image-disk and disposed so as to illumi- 15 nate an entire radial series of the images in cornmon at any instant, and means whereby only a single image of such series is actually projected at any given instant.

4. A combined sound reproducing device and projection device for continuously rotating cinematogram disks carrying spirally arranged image records, said combined device comprising optical means for projecting the cinematographic images, an image-illuminating device which consists of at least one luminous discharge tube, an electrical condenser, means for charging same, and means whereby said condenser is rapidly discharged through said tube to produce flashes of light. to illuminate said image records, the spirally arranged images being spaced at equal angular distances from one another with respect to the axis of the disk whereby they thus lie in radial series, the illuminating means being stationary and disposed so as to illuminate an entire radial series of the images in common at any instant, the device having also a radially shiftable optical projection system, structurally separate from the illuminating means, whereby only a single image of such series is actually projected at any given instant.

RUDOLF LEVY. 

